The Dodge City Red Demons and Scott City Beavers met two years ago in the final of the 68th Tournament of Champions with the Red Demons winning by three points.
The loss didn't set well with the Beavers as they returned two years later with plans of winning the 70th edition of the tournament and end the bad taste in their mouths. The Red Demons were hoping of continuing a trend since 2005 of winning the classic at least one every two years.
Neither team got that chance after losses in the semifinal round, so they battled instead for the third place ranking with the Beavers ending up getting some revenge after beating the Demons 60-51.
Drew Kite was 8-of-11 from the field to lead the Beavers with 21 points and six rebounds. Brett O'Neill added 15 points and six assists to help in the Scott City charge.
Shaphan Gross led the Red Demons (5-5) with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Matt Goedeken scored 13 for Dodge City. Both Gross and Goedeken scored 10 points apiece in the second half.
It was a case where Scott City couldn't miss early as the aggressor and the Red Demons had to play catch-up after the opening quarter.
The Beavers (9-1) scored the final 10 points of the first stanza to build a 19-8 lead after eight minutes of play. Scott City was 6-of-9 from the field and made all four of their free throws with Austin Habiger hitting three 3-pointers and Kite adding eight.
Dodge City was 4-of-9 from the field.
Scott City increased the margin to the largest lead at 15 early in the second quarter with the Red Demons cutting the margin to 32-21 at halftime. Dodge City's one saving grace in the first half was being able to attack the offensive boards and score 10 points on second chances.
Scott City again was efficient with their shooting in the third quarter, making six of their eight shots in the stanza to build a 45-33 lead. Dodge City was only 3-of-11 from the field, but were 5-of-7 from the free throw line to stay within reach.
The Red Demons pushed early and often in the final quarter for a final charge for a comeback with two three-pointers by Gross cutting the deficit to 55-49 with 2:30 remaining in regulation, but the Beavers were able to seal the victory with free throws to keep the margin from getting any closer.
SCOTT CITY (60) — Brett O'Neil 3-8 9-12 15, Brenner Wells 0-1 0-0 0, Brett Meyer 0-0 1-2 1, Tyler Hess 2-5 0-0 4, Austin Habiger 3-7 0-0 9, Anthony Wilson 1-5 0-0 2, Joey Meyer 3-3 2-2 8, Drew Kite 8-11 5-6 21. Totals 20-40 17-22 60.
DODGE CITY (51) — Rashaan Taylor 1-2 0-0 2, Jackson Oldham 0-2 1-2 1, Zach Norton 0-2 0-0 0, Shaphan Gross 8-13 0-2 18, Austin Weiser 2-3 2-2 7, Jordan Doan 0-6 0-0 0, Kelan Newton 1-5 0-0 2, Jace Larson 2-8 4-8 8, Matt Goedeken 5-9 1-2 13. Totals 19-50 8-16 51.
Scott City 19 13 13 15 — 60
Dodge City 8 13 12 18 — 51
Three-point baskets — Scott City 3 (Habiger 3), Dodge City 5 (Gross 2, Weiser 1, Goedeken 2). Records — Scott City 9-1, Dodge City 5-5.